Need a moral ruling

[Craig]

Does your local assessors office have a website? Look it up and find out the owner/status. Maybe even snap some photos if you can.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Yeah I like bwb's (as an extension of some others') response. Some due diligence is obviously warranted, and the situation, once learned, will determine any action taken.

I suppose where I draw the line is with "the crew" potentially getting first dibs. A wrecking or cleanup crew has no more right to property than anyone else unless I'm mistaken.

[1buckie]

I would never take them without permission, those grills could be of strong sentimental value to someone. I would be very upset if someone came into my yard and took mine. But those grills ending up in the dumpster would be a really sad day.

Yes, definitely check into it as far as you can.....your post ^^^ sums it up nicely:

WE are the ones who give a shit what happens to these things!!!

[glrasmussen]

We all have morals. I would preserve these grills. I will be willing to bet the bank owns this home.You said two years vacant, surprised that they are not already garaged, owner would appreciate a fellow Grillafella, I would consider that your giving them free storage, till the rightful owner appears again. Has anyone maintained the yard are any part of the dwelling in two years? Call the county in the morning or google the address, you would be surprised what shows up. Local hear, I can see what my neighbors are assessed in taxes and also shows ownership, even if it is bank owned.

[Hofy]

Until you find out who owns the house, leave the grills alone.  OR, you could think like Ricky!

https://youtu.be/MLjifumRk3Q

[Bob BQ]

Hold up, everyone!  That's my house, and my grills... would appreciate it if you could be so kind as to box them up and ship them to my house in St. Louis... don't know when I'll make it back to the old neighborhood... 

I'll echo what several have already said.  Do your due diligence, and the right answer will come to you.

[SmokenJoe]

Josh,

We are all driven to possess fine kettles such as these.  Here are my suggestions:

1) If you are concerned that they may be accosted by some vagrant, lock them in place with your name as point of contact,
2) If you are stressed that these lovelies may be left to the vagaries of mother nature, then shelter them in place with appropriate covers, and
3) Someone's name and current address is on file with the local property tax authority, contact that/those individual(s) with your offer to purchase or protect.

The house owner may be distressed physically either by choice or circumstance (IRAQ/AFGANISTAN), they may be glad to hear from a nearby neighbor.

[demosthenes9]

I'd have them sitting in my garage already.  Would slip notes under each door and any other place I could think of advising owner that you are storing them their safety.   Would also do as others recommend and attempt to find/contact the owner.    Definitely wouldn't leave them laying around waiting for a cleanup crew.

[ramsfan]

I would take possession of them immediately to protect and preserve them until the rightful owner can be located. Once that has been determined, you must return them to the rightful owner (if they want them back?)

[Hell Fire Grill]

Take the damn grills!


Mow their grass religiously til they return, as restitution, and make it right then.

In the mean time check it out bla bla bla...


Cook some steaks drink some beer if you feel guilty after that drink a couple more beers.

[Metal Mike]

pics or it didn't happen...

[mlmack]

Regardless of the colors, if they have been sitting there for a couple of years, they are likely abandoned.  Leaving them there for a few more days while you figure out the ownership situation, shouldn't be an issue.  If no one has stolen them by now, they are likely safe.

[Uncle JJ]

Check with county records to see what's up with ownership.......if it's a "drop the keys & walk" kind of deal, I'd think the stuff people left, they are not coming back for......

Not suggesting stealing things, but with the housing thing the way it was, people just left all their stuff & took off sometimes.....with diligent checking, it may turn out to be fair game?

This is one of the all-timer threads at WKC.....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/trading-post/18-5-lime-or-avacado-valpo-ind/

abandoned house....they left a Blackie in it's place as to be fair & not be stealing.....

I had not seen this thread before today.  I'm laughing like a maniac right now.

[CharliefromLI]

99 times out of 100 you can take them without incident however you don't want to end up like Vanilla Ice

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/vanilla-ice-accepts-plea-deal-florida-home-burglary-case-n334806

I would due your due diligence and try to reach out to the owner, county etc. if nothing else a paper trail would protect you down the road.

[MikeLucky]

I'd have them sitting in my garage already.  Would slip notes under each door and any other place I could think of advising owner that you are storing them their safety.   Would also do as others recommend and attempt to find/contact the owner.    Definitely wouldn't leave them laying around waiting for a cleanup crew.

I agree with this... I would get those kettles and clean them up and keep them safe... Leave a note or notes to make them aware that you have them.  If the foreclosure comes, you just saved two kettles... if the owner comes back, you just preserved and cleaned up their kettles for them...  Ultimately that's a win-win.